Strongest

Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia

Taking on the Special Interests

Just like Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Terry isn’t a product of the legislature in Richmond, and as governor, he’s going to shake things up and make the changes necessary to get our economy moving.

He’ll ban all gifts from lobbyists and completely shut down the payday lending industry. He’s refused to take any campaign contributions from companies that have received federal bailout funds, and he won’t take a penny from Dominion Power until they support his mandatory 25% renewable energy standard -- so we can create the good-paying, green jobs of the future.

On the campaign trail, Terry’s taken the lead on these issues. As governor, he’ll do what it takes to change business-as-usual in Richmond.

Learn more:

Shutting Down the Payday Lending Industry

Putting the Pressure on Dominion Power

A Ban on Lobbyist Gifts

No Campaign Contributions From Companies Getting Federal Bailout Money

Shutting Down the Payday Lending Industry

After traveling across Virginia and seeing how predatory lenders prey on the most vulnerable in our state, Terry came out for a total ban on payday lenders in Virginia.

Now, the payday lending industry itself is attacking Terry. On the industry’s blog, Payday Pundit, they tell readers to “get involved” and fight back against Terry’s criticisms of the industry. In an article entitled, “You can tell a lot about a candidate by the enemies he makes,” Richmond-Times Dispatch reporter Jeff Schapiro dug deeper:

Terry McAuliffe, running for the Democratic nomination for governor, wants to run payday lenders out of Virginia.

Not so fast, says the high-cost, instant-loan industry.

The Community Financial Services Association, a trade group for the nation's biggest payday lenders, is using its blog, http://www.paydaypundit.org, to mobilize its troops against McAuliffe.

McAuliffe, in Richmond today for a meet-and-greet with more than 40 staffers and volunteers, hinted that lenders have offered to contribute money to his campaign, but that he's not interested.

"The audacity of these people," said McAuliffe.

McAuliffe wants to give the boot to car-title lenders, too. His beef with the fringe-credit business: That it profits at the expense of the poor and uneducated.

Payday and car-title lenders counter that they're offering a service for which there is a demand, particularly from people who can't get credit.

Virginia has been a battleground for payday lenders for several years. The lenders have been in the state since 2002-when a Democratic governor, Mark Warner, signed legislation approved by a Republican-controlled General Assembly-and this year have been hit by recession and new regulations.

They've combined to drive down the number of money stores in the state by about 20 percent. But lenders are finding a way around the latest restrictions, offering other loans that can be more lucrative because they carry higher fees.

[Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6-2-09]

Putting the Pressure on Dominion Power

Terry believes that Virginia ought to have a strategy to increase use of renewable energy. We know that we can’t continue to rely on traditional sources of energy. We should be increasing state support for the development of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Not only will this reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but it will also create thousands of new jobs across Virginia.

But the only way we’re going to succeed in getting a larger share of our energy from renewable sources is if we can pressure the leading energy producers to go along.

Terry pledged not to take a dime in corporate or corporate PAC contributions from Dominion Power until they agree to a mandatory 25% renewable energy standard in Virginia, so we can bring green jobs and new investment to the Commonwealth. That stance has only emboldened Dominion’s resolve to defeat Terry. This week, the Washington Post reported that:

“Both Deeds and Moran received money from Dominion Virginia Power's political action committee. Deeds' $5,000 came the day after he criticized McAuliffe about his pledge to refuse campaign contributions from one of the most influential companies in the state. Moran's $10,000 came after he stated in interviews that he had taken less money his opponents.”

[The Washington Post, 6/2/09, ]

The Virginia League of Conservation Voters strongly endorsed Terry because they know that to protect Virginia’s environment, “the dynamics of government in Virginia need to change dramatically… our Board is convinced that Terry McAuliffe has the broad vision and the contacts and requisite skills to meet challenges directly.”

A Ban on Lobbyist Gifts

Terry has called for banning gifts and trips from lobbyists to legislators and executive branch officials -- because our elected officials should be accountable to the people.

In Virginia, there is no limit on the amount or types of gifts or trips that lobbyists can give to lawmakers or the executive branch. The only rule is that they must disclose gifts over a certain amount. This proposal would ban all gifts and trips from lobbyists to lawmakers and members of the executive branch.

Earlier this year, the Richmond Times-Dispatch examined some of the problems with the current system:

Official vetting of reports for accuracy is almost nonexistent. And there is little risk of punishment for rules-breakers. Lobbyists, for example, face an initial penalty of only $50 for filing late. As for lawmakers, it's up to their colleagues to mete out punishment, if any, for spotty or erroneous reports.

The resulting records -- they're available to the public through the secretary of the commonwealth and the House and Senate clerks, and online at the Virginia Public Access Project -- provide an incomplete accounting of the impact of interest-group money on elective officials. Last year, more than $20 million was spent influencing the assembly.

Disclosure standards vary from state to state, and no matter how tight the rules may be, watchdog groups worry they're ultimately insufficient to diminish the influence of gifts, trips, tickets to sports events, and other freebies. The solution, these organizations say, is a ban similar to one enacted by Congress in 2007 that prohibits lobbyists from buying even a sandwich for a member.

"Whether it's $50, $500 or $5,000, it's still a lobbyist giving a gift to a lawmaker -- and it doesn't look good," said Massie Ritsch of the Washington-based Center for Responsive Politics.

[Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3/22/09]

No Campaign Contributions From Companies Getting Federal Bailout Money

After the controversy over the AIG taxpayer funded bonuses erupted, Terry McAuliffe made a bold pledge: he promised not to take any campaign contribution from companies receiving federal bailout funds. Our tax dollars should be used to fix the economy, not fund political campaigns.

That pledge has already prompted one of Terry’s opponents to return the contributions he'd accepted from banks receiving federal bailout funds.

Bob McDonnell, on the other hand, has not refused to return the contributions he’s taken from companies receiving federal bailout funds.

Just as Terry’s stood up to special interests, he’s also shown he’ll take the fight to Bob McDonnell. Check out his petition below:

Bob McDonnell just doesn't get it. He opposed using federal stimulus money to help Virginia families in need. But he doesn't have any problems dumping your tax dollars into his campaign's bank account.

It's just shameful.

When Bob and his Republican friends rejected $125 million in federal help for Virginians who lost their jobs, his campaign had already taken thousands of dollars from companies that took federal bailout money. That's right -- your tax dollars are going from bailed out companies right into Bob McDonnell's campaign coffers.

It's time for Bob McDonnell to step up. Our tax dollars should be used to fix the economy, not fund political campaigns.

Tell Bob McDonnell to return the contributions from companies that received federal bailout money.

When the news broke about the millions of taxpayer-funded bonuses going to AIG executives, Bob McDonnell's own campaign said they "should offend every taxpayer." I agree.

But it is every bit as offensive for companies like Citigroup - which participated in some of the worst excess that triggered this financial crisis - to use the money they're getting from the federal government to make contributions to political candidates. And Bob McDonnell's taken the cash with open arms.

For his campaign to go around lecturing about the sanctity of taxpayer money -- while at the same time using it to fund its own political operation - is the height of hypocrisy. And I've had enough of it.

Tell Bob McDonnell to return any contributions he's received from companies that were bailed out by the federal government -- and to pledge not to take their money for the rest of the campaign.

Thanks,

Terry

Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia

The latest news

We've got just 4 days to go, and things couldn't be moving quicker. Wednesday night, Politico teamed up with ABC News, Google and YouTube to broadcast a joint-candidate forum on statewide television. We released a new response ad this week, there's been a flurry of new polling, and we're gearing up for the final Get-Out-the-Vote push.

It All Comes Down to GOTV

The Washington Post said it best: "Figuring out which ones will come to the polls and how to reach them could, more than any other factor, determine the victor on election day." That's why we've invested in one of the most sophisticated field operations that a Virginia political race has ever seen. But our ability to put our plan into action depends on you.

We've got 14 offices spread all across the Commonwealth -- and we urgently need your help to make them overflow with volunteers.

For months we've worked to bring new voters into the process and re-engage all those folks who first got involved with President Obama's historic campaign last November. In short, we've identified our voters. But we've got to the hit the phones, knock the doors, and realize the potential to make our voices heard on Election Day.

The best thing you can do is come down to one of our offices, but there are other opportunities to help out - even from your home. So don't waste a minute. Terry's autographed an additional 100 rally signs for the first people to come in and donate their time. If you haven't already signed up to volunteer, please do so immediately.

Click Here to Sign Up to Volunteer.

Candidate Forum

Wednesday night, voters across the Commonwealth tuned in to see a joint-candidate forum sponsored by YouTube, Politico, Google and ABC. And as with all of the joint-appearances, Terry once again demonstrated why he's the candidate with the focus, discipline, and resolve to bring good-paying jobs to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

I've been in Virginia politics for an awfully long time, and one thing I've learned is that governing is prioritizing. There's no time to be all things to all people. You need to know what you want to do, and have a plan to get it done. That's exactly what Terry brings to the table.

No moment from the forum was more telling than when James from Arlington asked the three candidates the one thing they'd like to be remembered for after serving as governor for four years. We've posted that clip on our website, and I wanted to share it with you.

Endorsements

This morning, Terry is receiving the endorsement of Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana. As a popular two-term Governor, Governor Schweitzer knows that Terry has the right experience to get Virginia's economy moving again.

Chris Cillizza of The Washington Post wrote that the endorsement "sends a message that not only does Schweitzer think McAuliffe will win next Tuesday 's primary (otherwise, why fly in from Montana to stand with a potential loser) but also that McAuliffe represents the best chance for Democrats to keep the seat in the fall election."

Polls

A few weeks back, the National Journal's Amy Walter hit the nail on the head when she wrote that, "Any public polling on this race should be taken with a very big grain of salt. After all, no one has any idea just how 'likely' these 'likely voters' will be." But since so many of you have written in asking about one poll or another, I want to make sure you're all aware of the large disparity in the polls that are out there. They're all over the map, but Terry McAuliffe is the only candidate with a lead outside the margin of error in any of the various polls that have been released.

On Tuesday, Public Policy Polling showed the race was a dead heat.

Wednesday, Survey USA gave Terry a significant, 6-point lead over Creigh Deeds, and a 9-point lead over Brian Moran.

The truth is that the only poll that matters is the one this upcoming Tuesday. That's why we're focusing on two things - getting out the vote, and making our closing arguments for why Terry's the candidate best equipped to create jobs and grow Virginia's economy.

New Ads

For weeks, our opponents have hurled personal attacks at Terry in the mail, and on radio and TV. So as we come down the home stretch, we've got a dual focus for our paid media strategy. We released a new response ad that's airing in the Norfolk and Richmond media markets designed to counter the attacks we've seen. And in our final spot, Terry makes his closing argument for why we need big ideas to shake things up in Richmond.

Thanks so much for all that you've done. But we still need your help to fund our media and GOTV efforts so we can keep these ads up all the way to the end.

Click Here to Make a Contribution and Keep Our Ads on the Air.

Full steam ahead until Tuesday!

Mike Henry
Campaign Manager

P.S. Terry is holding a primary election night celebration at The Westin Arlington Gateway at 801 N. Glebe Road. If you're in the area, stop by at 7:15pm and celebrate with Terry!

Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia

McAuliffe Consoles, Campaigns at GM Plant

June 3rd, 2009
The Washington Post
Rosalind Helderman

From the annals of smart campaigning... Terry McAuliffe made a stop this afternoon at the GM plant in Fredericksburg that the company announced Monday it is shuttering as part of its bankruptcy filing.

Not a bad move for the candidate who has made job creation the centerpiece of his run for the governor's mansion. McAuliffe took a tour of the plant, which is scheduled to close in 2010, as a guest of local UAW leaders and Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors Chairman Henry "Hap" Connors Jr, whose endorsed his campaign.

Melvin Carter, the local union political coordinator, said he'd welcome any of the candidates--he said he's invited everyone "all the way up to the White House" to visit the plant--but only McAuliffe had so far reached out to make it happen. The plant once employed 300--now only 68 people work at the mostly quiet factory that manufacturers torque converter clutch plants.

"It's good to know he's interested," Carter said. "You know what they always say, contact your congressman or senator. Well..."

McAuliffe spent more than an hour at the plant, safety goggles on his face, ear plugs in his ears, bright orange vest over his shirt, eagerly examining the massive machinery on the factory floor and talking to workers who run it. Cocking his head to listen over the noise of the machines, he occasionally pulled out a notebooks and jotted down notes.

Many of the workers at the plant have been working for GM for decades. Some are eligible to retire, but others are just a few years shy.

"If you work somewhere for 25 years and then it closes up on you, it feels pretty bad," said worker James Holsworth.

After his tour, McAuliffe addressed a small group of workers at an afternoon team meeting in a break room off the factory floor. He told the group he would bring new alternative energy jobs to Virginia that would replace the jobs lost at the GM plant and other factory closings.

"All I can tell you is that if I get in as governor, I promise you I'll create some jobs. I'll give you some opportunities--I promise you. I've done it my whole live," he said. "My heart goes out to everyone. I'm sorry this had to happen to you."

The workers questioned McAuliffe about education and health care. Then, one woman asked the key question: "Do you have a General Motors car?"

"Two," McAuliffe answered, his first words that broad broad smiles to pretty gloomy faces.

"Three," piped up an aide, reminding McAuliffe of his Escalade.

"I have three, excuse me," he said. "I've had one since 1990, but I bought two hybrids. You bet. Two new ones."

Brian Moran, meanwhile, spent the day on a series of campaign stops through the outer suburbs of Northern Virginia, including greeting voters at the VRE train station in Fredericksburg and touring a community health center in Prince William. At the health center, he met with board members and learned how federal stimulus money saved the center from having to close its doors.

Creigh Deeds, meanwhile, will be throwing out the first pitch tonight at the Norfolk Tides minor league baseball game at Harbor Park in Norfolk.

Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, gm, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia

"One"

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Profile of Terry on WAMU

WAMU ran this story on Terry's grassroots campaign and bold ideas to get Virginia's economy moving again.

You can also download the story here.

Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, radio, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, wamu

Governor hopeful: Jobs best fix for Va.

June 1st, 2009
Northern Virginia Daily
Garren Shipley

Opponents may call Terry McAuliffe many things, but "inconsistent" and "lethargic" aren't among them.

The former Democratic National Committee chairman turned gubernatorial candidate made the rounds of Virginia this past week, hammering on the same theme he's been on since December.

Jobs, jobs, jobs.

McAuliffe, a latecomer to the race, has focused on economic issues since he began his "listening tour" last year.

McAuliffe faces former Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, and state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, in an open June 9 Democratic primary.

Job creation is the best possible fix for most of Richmond's significant ills, including the state's road system, McAuliffe said in an interview.

"I want to focus on job creation because we need money for transportation and education," he said.

President Clinton's former uber-fundraiser has a long list of things he wants to accomplish in the Executive Mansion.

"I have a lot of big plans," he said, including higher spending on K-12 education and more money for pre-kindergarten programs.

McAuliffe would also allow any individual or business to buy their way into the state's low-income health benefits program, FAMIS.

He also wants to spend more on transportation to be sure the state can draw down matching federal transportation dollars.

Paying for it all will be a challenge, though.

"First and foremost, we've got a horrible economy. We just found out we've got to cut another $250 million" from the state budget due to faltering tax receipts, he said.

"I don't believe in raising taxes in a down economy," he said. That means the state has to grow its tax receipts, he said.

McAuliffe said he thinks that, given the right tools, he can talk those jobs into Virginia.

"The House of Delegates has not given the governor any new tools, any economic incentives," he said.

Other states have set up funds and bonding authority for governors to use to lure jobs into their states.

"I'll spend money to make money any day of the week," he said.

Virginia also needs to "green up" its energy policies to encourage growth.

"We're one of the few states that doesn't offer any sort of tax incentive for people to put solar panels on their roof," he said. "Tennessee just announced a billion-dollar investment for a company to begin producing crystals for solar panels."

Requiring utilities to get a fixed percentage of their power from things like solar or wind turbines would encourage job growth, he said.

Putting Democrats in control of the legislature in November would make it much easier to accomplish his goals, he said.

Even if Republicans maintain control of the House, they will still be willing to work with McAuliffe to create jobs, he said.

"That's not a Democrat or a Republican issue," he said. "Maybe I'm nuts, but I don't think they're all going to vote against that."

Tags: 2009, economic, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia

Shoot for the Moon

This clip is from the Washington Post/NewsChannel8 Virginia Democratic Primary Debate.

Click Here to Watch the Entire Debate

Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia

The Final Debate

Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia

Stepped Up

In 1985, Terry McAuliffe helped found the Federal City National Bank, a small community bank that was designed to serve the Washington, DC area. Terry said he got into the banking business because he wanted to "do what a bank is supposed to do. Work for the depositors." Federal City opened a year later.

At the beginning, the bank struggled to turn a profit. While the bank's assets grew, in its first year the bank lost $513,000; the next, it lost $471,000.

In 1988, Terry was elected the chairman of the bank, making him one of the youngest people ever to be elected chairman of a federally chartered bank. His goal was "to make Federal City National Bank one of the nation's most innovative, aggressive and fiscally sound financial institutions."

As chairman, Terry took immediate steps to turn the bank around. He replaced the president and added four new directors. By the end of 1989, Federal City National Bank reported its first annual profit of $280,000. The president of the bank, Clyde Smith, said more stringent loan requirements and better workouts of nonperforming loans spurred the turnaround.

Federal City's turnaround was remarkable in another sense: the Washington, DC-area was overbanked and the cost of doing business in the District was a lot higher than doing business in the suburbs. Large banks were overtaking the smaller banks. Yet during this time, Federal City was able to establish itself. A headline in October 1990 read "Federal City profits buck banking trends." A month later, the Washington Business Journal noted "Federal City National Bank is currently one of the most profitable institutions in the District." Indeed, Federal City had the second highest return on average assets of any bank in the District of Columbia. One bank analyst noted, "It's incredible the way these guys have turned this bank around."

By 1991, the Savings and Loan crisis was in full swing. The economy was in recession. Federal regulators were forcing banks to increase their capital and write down loans and even seized some banks. All 11 DC-area banks that started in the 1980s were facing trouble. One investment source noted, "With the number of banks out there looking to raise capital, coupled with the problems in the industry and the regulatory environment they have to operate under--they'll just never do it. There are just too many better ways to invest your money." In spite of this climate, Federal City National Bank did not close. Rather, it was able to merge with a larger bank and stay in operation.

Terry McAuliffe's leadership at Federal City National Bank is a good example of what type of governor he will be. He took over the bank at a time when it was struggling. His vision and ability to bring new people and new ideas helped turn the bank around. And he did not quit when times were tough. He stayed and saw the bank successfully merge. That bank is still around today.

Tags: 2009, economic growth, economy, governor, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, tmac, va-gov, vagov, virginia